Inside Kanye West’s Donda listening party

Kanye West held another bizarre listening party for his upcoming 10th album Donda, even setting himself on fire as he promoted his new music. 

The rapper, 44, had erected a life-size replica of his childhood home as he put on a show at Soldier Field in Chicago on Thursday night, which saw the star pay tribute to his seven-year marriage to Kim Kardashian. 

Despite arriving an hour and a half late for the show, West kept the audience – who had been offered Covid vaccines outside the stadium – entertained with his bizarre antics, and also shocked when he brought out disgraced artists DaBaby and Marilyn Manson to join him on the stage.  

Unexpected: Despite arriving an hour and a half late for the show, West kept the audience – who had been offered Covid vaccines outside the stadium – entertained, setting himself on fire and bringing out estranged wife Kim Kardashian  

Nearly two hours after the event started — West had yet to come out but when he did the show featured no shortage of theatrics. 

Wearing a black leather outfit and a full coverage mask with a hat he was seen pacing and standing on the porch of the replicated house before the show ramped up.   

During one part of the set he was seen lighting himself on fire and other parts featured a funeral-like procession with a string of extras marching alongside. 

The inferno began inside a replica of Kanye’s childhood home, where the Stronger rapper sat still as he was consumed by the flames.  

Wow: Kanye set himself on fire and calmly walked around the stage as he promoted his new music  

Covered: He had to be extinguished as flames covered himself very close to the set 

To the rescue: The music sensation briefly walked across the stage before several workers armed with fire extinguishers rushed to his side, putting out the flames

Despite being completely ablaze, Kanye calmly walked outside of the house, clad in protective gear. 

The music sensation briefly walked across the stage before several workers armed with fire extinguishers rushed to his side, putting out the flames.

Ahead of his appearance, cheers from the crowd continued to build as well as people screaming ‘Kanye’ as they patiently waited to see what he would be wearing for the evening and hearing the album. 

As momentum continued to build from concert-goers Twitter erupted with impatient remarks. 

‘The camera man pointing at a house for the past 30 mins,’ read one tweet, while a second read: ‘Wake up Mr. West.’ 

The door finally opened to reveal what looked to be two of his four children and the voice of his mother repeating her name ‘Donda’ opened the show with a picture of her as a child on screen. 

Production: Nearly two hours after the event started — 9PM CT (10PM ET, 7PM PT) West had yet to come out 

Kanye’s ex Kim was one of the special guests, and wore a wedding dress and veil as she dramatically joined her estranged husband on stage. 

The reality star wore a Balenciaga Couture dress while walking out onto the stage for the final song of the show, No Child Left Behind, which caused a frenzy at the stadium. 

Despite the appearance, insiders say Kim and Kanye are not back together, however are forever family, according to TMZ . 

Bridal bliss: Kim Kardashian wore a wedding dress and veil as she dramatically joined her estranged husband Kanye on stage

The reality star stole the show in a shocking appearance as she appeared alongside West and paid tribute to their seven year marriage, despite the SKIMS founder filing for divorce in February.   

At one point he was seen beaming at her with a grin on his face as he looked to clutch a bible in hand.  

Despite the cameo, the couple are not back together and it was purely a show of support. 

‘Kim and Kanye have always supported the other’s endeavors and will continue to do that in the future, whether it be a collaborative effort or not,’ an insider told TMZ. 

Veiled: The reality star donned a signature long braid in her hair that she was seen wearing at his last listening event

Throwback: Kim and Kanye wed at the Forte di Belvedere in Florence in 2014, where Kim donned mermaid-silhouette gown that featuring delicate white lace was custom-made by Givenchy Haute Couture 

It was added: ‘Kim was happy to do it for Kanye and the event, which was so important to him.’

And her sister’s Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner were quick to gush over the moment on social media. 

‘insanely beautiful!!!’ the Good American founder tweeted with two crown emojis while Kylie shared close up snaps to her Instagram story. 

Gushing: Sister Khloe gushed that the moment was ‘insanely beautiful’ on twitter 

As with the last two Donda listening events at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Kim brought all four of the couple’s children along for the event — which also featured appearances by DaBaby and Marilyn Manson. 

The couple share daughters North, eight, and Chicago, three, and sons Saint, five, and Psalm, two. 

Kim and Kanye wed at the Forte di Belvedere in Florence in 2014, where Kim donned  mermaid-silhouette gown that featuring delicate white lace was custom-made by Givenchy Haute Couture.

Motley crue: Upon coming out he made quite the statement as he was joined by disgraced artists DaBaby and Marilyn Manson

For the concert, Kanye erected a life-size replica of his childhood home. 

Images show a look at the elaborate set which includes a recreation of the rapper’s home affixed with a cross at the center of the stadium, and a string of patrons waiting to enter. 

Following two listening events at the Mercedes Benz-Stadium in Atlanta — where the rapper was said to be holed up finishing the album — West finally released his highly-anticipated record.  

First look: Kanye West’s Donda listening event at Soldier Field in Chicago on Thursday evening show an erected replica of his childhood home

Main attraction: At the center of the stadium lies a replica of his childhood home affixed with a cross and candles lining a dirt mound which were lit ahead of his entrance 

At the center of the stadium lied a full scale replica of the childhood home he grew up in with his mother and an illuminated cross on top. 

Candles were seen stuck in a dirt mound and were reportedly lit ahead of West taking the stage before they were blown out as he continued to delay his entrance.  

Though stadium capacity is 63,000 only 38,000 patrons are allowed inside amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Another view: Smoke effects could be seen billowing out of the set

Closeup: The album which was named after his late mother has been highly anticipated from fans after he previously held two listening events in Atlanta 

Late start: 45 minutes after the show was set to start, in true Kanye fashion it was said he had yet to take the stage

It was previously reported that the event would include more than 1,500 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine — both the two-jab Pfizer and the one-jab Johnson & Johnson — available on site free of cost.

And images show a sign that reads ‘COVID vaccines no appointment needed’ alongside a line of people waiting to enter the stadium.  

Vaccines were also available at his last listening event but TMZ reported that only 4 of 40,000 rolled up their sleeves.   

Foot traffic: A large sign that reads ‘DONDA PARKING’ is seen at the event

Vaccine: It was previously reported the event would carry more than 1,500 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine — both the two-jab Pfizer and the one-jab Johnson & Johnson

Sunset show: For patrons unable to attend the sunset show a livestream was available on Apple Music with some delays 

Once patrons were let inside video shows absolute chaos as people stormed the merch table to get their hands on new mementos from the rapper — who recently filed to legally change his name to ‘Ye.’ 

Merchandise for the event reads ‘2024’ on the back with a presidential seal on the front, as the rapper — who bid for president under the ‘Birthday Party’ last year — continued to tease a future run for office. 

Other garments for sale included one with a baby picture of him on the front and the image of his house on the back.   

Merch: Among the merchandise included a shirt with a baby photo of him on the front and an image of the house on the back

 

Presidential bid: Other merch includes ‘2024’ on the back and the presidential seal on the front

For the majority of people unable to attend the in-person event — where he is rumored to finally be releasing the album following two months of anticipation — a live stream is available on Apple Music.  

And as all signs point to his third listening event being the one where he releases the album, West had announced pre-orders this week for the Donda ‘stem player’ —  a sampler pre-loaded with the album that is said to ship in ‘Summer 2021.’  

The rapper then shocked as he brought out Marilyn Manson and DaBaby.  

Both on the receiving end of cancel culture following homophobic statements and ongoing sexual assault allegations, respectively, West put on a united front with the musical outcasts. 

During the now polished album it was revealed that Kanye replaced a verse originally sung by Jay-Z with DaBaby — which made sense as to why he was in attendance — but Manson has no presence on the album.   

Controversial: The rapper then shocked audiences as he brought out DaBaby and Marilyn Manson 

Just last month Da Baby incurred massive backlash and had his name wiped from the lineup of several musical festivals — including Governor’s Ball and Lollapalooza— following a homophobic rant at Rolling Loud. 

The Cleveland born rapper — real name Jonathan Kirk — addressed the crowd during his set in July where he made insensitive and uninformed remarks relative to HIV/AIDS.

‘If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases, that’ll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up … Fellas, if you ain’t sucking d**k in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up.’

Earlier in the week, he issued an apology publicly at the Hot 97 festival where he said he ‘never, ever meant to offend anybody or say anything to make anybody feel any type of way.’  

Unusual: During the now polished album it was revealed that Kanye replaced a verse originally sung by Jay-Z with DaBaby — which made sense as to why he was in attendance — but Manson has no presence on the album 

Meanwhile, Manson faces numerous lawsuits for reports of sexual abuse against more than a dozen women including former lovers and employees.  

In May his former personal assistant, Ashley Walters, 37, sued him for sexual assault, battery and harassment in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County – one of at least 16 women to level similar allegations against him, The Cut reported.

The claims include that he raped and assaulted former wife Evan Rachel Wood, 33, and tortured Game of Thrones star Esmé Bianco during their two year relationship.

Problematic: Both DaBaby and Manson have been embattled for behavior including an unhinged homophobic rant and numerous sexual assault allegations, respectively

Most recently he surrendered to police in California in July over an outstanding New Hampshire arrest warrant following a snot assault against a female videographer in 2019. 

The camera woman claimed he ‘shot his snot at her’ and the story was corroborated by by fellow concert goers and a security guard who were nearby in the stage pit area. 

Gilford Police had issued an arrest warrant twice and it was made public in May, during which it was said that Manson, his former CAA agent, and his legal counsel had ‘been aware of the warrant for some time and no effort had been made by him to return to New Hampshire to answer the pending charges,’ until he surrendered nearly two years later.  

Full production: After three listening events it has been rumored that Thursday’s show will finally be the one where he drops the album 

This is the third event West has held to promote his upcoming tenth studio album.

The star drew in 42,000 attendees to his first experience at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz stadium last month, in which he arrived late, did not say a word and stood in the middle of the stage with a sheer mask over his head while the songs played.

A second event featuring an updated version of the album broke Apple Music’s livestream records with 5.4million viewers. 

Arrivals: Patrons were seen entering into the stadium that is capping capacity at 38,000

Patiently waiting: As momentum continued to build from concert-goers Twitter erupted with impatient remarks 

Kanye had been due to release the album on July 23 after the first listening party, but he decided to scrap the decision, without giving fans a reason.   

With the songs now featuring on a livestream three times, buzz has been building surrounding the new album.  

One track that was met with major excitement was the song featuring West’s longtime pal Jay-Z. It marks the pair’s first collaboration in five years, having last teamed up on Drake’s 2016 track Pop Style.

Overview: From above the magnitude of the replica was seen 

As revealed during the previous listening party, the album includes several rap features, including late Pop Smoke, Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Pusha T, Baby Keem, Lil Baby, and Lil Durk.

The Weeknd also appears on one anthemic track.

Donda, named after the star’s beloved mother who died in 2007, is the star’s first album release since 2019’s Jesus Is King. 

The album gives devout fans a glimpse into his crumbling marriage to Kim Kardashian, and features collaborations with Jay-Z and Travis Scott. 

Dedication: The album’s name and title track make reference to the rapper’s late mother Donda West, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 58 due to complications caused by a cosmetic procedure